A bill that would require voters to show photo identification advanced Wednesday despite criticism it would create an obstacle to voting, particularly among senior citizens, minorities, the homeless and disabled people.

Supporters, including Republican Secretary of State Scott Gessler, said the bill would prevent voter fraud. They argued that showing photo ID is commonplace today, and required for everything from boarding an airplane to buying a beer.

Gessler also called arguments it would stifle voting “entirely misplaced.”

The bill — which has been debated year after year by Colorado lawmakers — passed the House State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee on a 5-4 party-line vote, and is expected to make it through the Republican-controlled House. It will have a tougher time in the Senate, where Democrats are in the majority.

Rep. Crisanta Duran, D-Denver, said lawmakers should ensure every legally registered voter in Colorado has access to voting.

“By passing this bill, I think you’re going to prevent that from happening,” she said.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado is one of 16 states that require identification but not a photo ID. Voters may use a utility bill, birth certificate, bank statement, government check or other government-issued documents.

The bill would require voters to present a valid driver’s license or state ID card, pilot’s license, military ID, Medicare card or student identification.

Linda Olson, an attorney with Colorado Legal Services who helps low-income, elderly and disabled people get IDs, told lawmakers it is a struggle for many people. In addition to paying the $10.50 for an ID, many people have to track down and pay for other documents, such as birth certificates.

Olson said the program has served 10,000 people in the past three years. Most months, the program runs out of its monthly funds within three or four days, and anyone who needs help has to come back the following month, she said.

But 89-year-old Levi Martinez, a World War II veteran from Wheat Ridge, told lawmakers that even as he’s approaching age 90, he’s still able to show a photo ID when needed.

Calling voting “the most sacred right we have,” Martinez said any inconvenience should be worth it.

Democrats Ed Perlmutter and Jared Polis have joined their Republican congressional colleagues in backing legislation that would allow the Bureau of Land Management to relocate it headquarters to the West, and possibly to Colorado.

Two conservative taxpayer advocacy groups filed suit Wednesday against new Denver campaign finance disclosure rules for issue advocacy committees that they say will violate the privacy rights of their donors.